British Citizenship Test

What major ethical question was debated during The Enlightenment?

1. Is monarchy desirable?

2. What is the nature of justice?

3. How does one achieve personal happiness?

4. Is war necessary?

The correct answer is: What is the nature of justice?

During The Enlightenment, a significant focus was placed on individual rights, society, and governance, leading to the questioning and exploration of what constitutes justice. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Immanuel Kant approached the concept of justice not merely as a legalistic term but as a moral imperative that underpins political and social arrangements. They argued that justice should reflect the principles of fairness, equality, and rational thought, encouraging debates around social contracts and the rights of individuals within a society. This emphasis on understanding the nature of justice influenced many areas, including the development of democratic principles and human rights, which continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about fairness and equality in societies. The Enlightenment framed justice as essential to the creation and maintenance of an equitable society, making it a core ethical question of the period.